Container divider



Nov. 1, 1960 M. w. KUCHENBECKER 2, 8, 5

CONTAINER DIVIDER Filed Feb. 8, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR.

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Nov. 1, 1960 M. w. KUCHENBECKER 5 CONTAINER DIVIDER Filed Feb. 8, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INV EN TOR.

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CONTAINER DIVIDER Morris W. Kuchenbecker, Neenah, Wis., assignor to American Can Company, Jersey City, NJ., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Feb. 8, 1960, Ser. No. 7,460

6 Claims. (Cl. 229-15) This invention relates to a novel means for providing a plurality of compartments in trays, cartons, bags and the like. It is frequently desirable to provide separate compartments in such packaging devices, particularly for the packaging of cookies, rolls, and other items the separate identity of which is desired to be preserved. This invention provides an integral divider element, of greatly simplified and unusually economical construction, While the divider of this invention preferably is to be made of paperboard, it may be made of any other suitable foldable material of sufficient rigidity to substantially maintain the compartmentation originally provided. The details of the invention will be clear from the following description in connection with the appended drawings, in which: Figure l is a plan view of a paperboard blank comprising the first embodiment of this invention,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the set-up divider mad-s from the blank of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a plan view of the blank of a second embodiment of the invention,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the divider formed from the blank of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the divider of Figure 2 positioned in a tray made of paperboard or similar material,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the divider of Figure 4 similarly positioned in a tray,

Figure 7 is a plan view of the blank of a third embodiment of the invention,

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the divider formed from the blank of Figure 7, and

Figure 9 is a perspective view or the divicer of Pigure 8 positioned in a tray.

Referring to Figure 1, the first embodiment of the invention comprises a blank It), preferably made of paperboard, suitably cut and scored to provide a bottom panel 11, side panels 12 and i3 hinged to the side edges thereof along score lines l4 and i5, and a connecting panel 16 hinged to an end edge of bottom panel 11 along score line 1?. Partition panel is; is hinged along score line 19 to the end edge of panel in opposite score line l7, the partition panel being of width to extend beyond the side edges 14 and 15 of bottom panel 11.

The remote edges of panels 12 and 13 have notches or slots 25 and 26, respectively, extending thereinto about half the distance from the remote edges to the respective hinging score lines 14 and 15. Corresponding and cooperating slots or notches 27 and 23 extend into panel 18 from the inner edge thereof adjacent the marginal edges of connecting flap E6, the slots terminating short of the free end edge of panel 18.

Referring also to Figure 2, the divider of the first embodiment is set up by folding panels 12 and 13 perpendicularly to bottom panel ll, then folding connecting panel 16 over bottom panel 11 while simultaneously folding partition panel is perpendicularly to panel ll. As this folding is accomplished, notches 27 and 23 respectively engage with notches or slots 25 and 26, thus retaining the panel members in the position shown in Figure 2. It will be seen that notches or slots 25 and 26 are respectively complementary to notches 27 and 28, being spaced from hinge line 17 a distance equal to the distance between hinge lines 17 and 19. The depth of the notches is such that the combined notch or slot length of elements 25 and 27 at least equals the dimension of panel 12 perpendicular to score line 14, there being a corresponding requirement with respect to notches or slots 26 and 28 and the dimension of panel 13 perpendicular to score line 15. If it is desired that panels 12 and 13 be perpendicular to panel 11 in the erected position of the divider, notches or slots 27 and 28 are spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing between lines 14 and 15.

Referring also to Figure 5, the divider element of Figure 2 may be inserted into a tray 31 of conventional type, preferably made of paperboard, plastic or similar material adapted to provide a relatively rigid container. The divider may be so dimensioned to provide substantially completely distinct compartments, totaling six in number, in tray 31. The divided tray may then be overwrapped if desired to present a completely closed package having six separate compartments. Similarly, tray 31, may be provided with a separate or integral cover, in the conventional manner, to present a closed container, or alternatively the tray may be enclosed in .a conventional bag. It will also be apparent that the divider alone may be overwrapped or inserted into a bag to provide a divided container.

The second embodiment, shown in Figure 3, is basically similar to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, but is constructed to provide a container with nine compartments. Blank lli is cut and scored to provide a bottom panel 41 having side panels 42 and 43 hinged to the side edges thereof along score lines 44 and 45, and connecting panels as and 47 connected to the end edges along score lines 48 and d9. The opposite edges of connecting panels 46 and 47 have partition panels 5t) and 51 hingedly connected thereto along score lines 52 and 53.

The free edges of panels 42 and 43 have pairs of spaced notches or slots 5556 and 57-58, respectively, cut thereinto, as was similarly done in the first embodiment of the invention. Panels and 51 respectively have pairs of notches 59-60 and 6l62 cut into the inner edges thereof adjacent connecting panels 40 and 17.

The divider of Figure 3 is set up by erecting panels 42 and 4-3 perpendicularly to bottom panel all, then folding connecting panels 46 and 47 over the bottom panel with panels 5t) and S1 perependicular to bottom panel 41. Notches 59 and 66 respectively engage notches and 57, while notches 61 and 62 respectively engage notches 56 and 58.

From inspection it will be seen that notches 55 and 57 are spaced from hinge line 48 a distance equal to the length of panel 46 from line 48 to line 52, while notches as and 58 are spaced from hinge line 49 a distance equal to the corresponding length of panel 47. If it is desired that panels 42 and 4-3 be perpendicular to panel 41 in the erected position of the divider, notches 59 and 6t and 61 and 62, are spaced apart a distance equal to the distance between lines 4 2 and 45.

Figure 6 shows the divider of the second embodiment positioned within a tray 65, substantially as previously described, and with the various other overall container constructions previously referred to being alternatively usable.

The length of panels 16, 46 and 47, along the longer dimension of bottom panels 11 and 41 respectively may be varied to provide compartments of various sizes, and the same is true of the portions of panels 18 and 50--51 beyond the notches cut into those panels.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 illustrate a third embodiment of the invention which presents an unusual economy of manufacture Without significant loss of function. The divider blank'70 shown in Figure 7, preferably made of paperboard or' other suitable'material, includes a bottom panel 71, oppositely disposed side panels 72 and 73 hinged thereto along score lines 74 and 75, and a conneoting panel 76 hinged to an end edge of panel 71 along score line 77. Partition panel 78 is hinged along score line 79 to the end edge of panel 76 opposite score line 77. The remote edges of panels 72 and 73 have notches or slots 85 and 86, respectively, extending thereinto, for cooperation substantially as previously described with notches 87 and 88 in panel 78.

It will be observed that in this embodiment hinge line 77 is positioned inwardly from the side edges 90 and 91 of panels 72 and 73, respectively, the score lines 74 and 75 terminating in cuts 92 and 93 outwardly of hinge line 77.

Referring also to Figure 8, the divider of the third embodiment is assembled by folding panels 72 and 73 perpendicularly to bottom panel 71, and then folding panel 76 to overlie the bottom panel while simulta neously folding partition panel 78 perpendicularly to the bottom panel. Notches 87 and 88 cooperatively engage with notches or slots 85 and 86, respectively, to hold the assembled divider in erected position. It will be seen that for this cooperative engagement of the notches or slots to occur, connecting panel 76 must be of length equal to the longitudinal distance from notches 85 and 86 to edges 90' and 91 less the distance from those edges to hinge line 77. Stated another way, panel 76 is to be of length equal to the longitudinal distance from notches 85 and '86 to hinge line 77, which description equally applies to the situation where hinge line 77 is positioned to lie longitudinally between notches 8586 and opposite side edges 94-% of side panels 72 and 73, all respectively, in which latter construction the connecting panel would of course not be folded to overlie the bottom panel, but upon erection of the divider would extend longitudinally from and lie co-planarly with the bottom panel.

Figure 9 illustrates the divider of Figures 7 and 8 assembled into a conventional tray 96, which may be overwrapped, or provided with a cover as desired. Alternatively, the divider alone may be overwrapped or positioned within a bag as previously described in connection with the first and second embodiments.

While the notches or slots in each of the three embodiments described are depicted with gently curved or angled entrance portions, to facilitate engagement of the cooperating slots, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the only essential feature in this respect is that these notches or slots actually exist in some form to provide a positive engagement. Other modifications of the invention, not departing from the spirit thereof, will also occur to those experienced in this field.

Having now described three embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that limitations on the scope thereof are intended only as specifically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A divider for a container, said divider comprising an integral blank suitably cut and scored to provide a bottom panel, a pair of side panels hinged to opposite side edges of the bottom panel, a connecting panel hingedly connected to an end edge of the bottom panel, and a partition panel hingedly connected to the connecting panel along the edge opposite that to which the connecting panel is hinged to the bottom panel, said side .panels each having a slot extending thereinto from the edge opposite the hinge connection to the bottom panel and terminating short thereof, said slots being spaced from the hinge connection of the connecting panel to the bottom panel a distance equal to the length of said connecting panel, said partition panel having a pair of slots extending thereinto from the inner edge thereof adjacent the hinge connection of the partition panel to the connecting panel and terminating short of the free end edge thereof, said last-mentioned slots being spaced apart a distance equal to the Width of the bottom panel, said side panels being adapted to be folded perpendicularly to and the connecting panel into overlying relation with the bottom panel, and the partition panel to be folded perpendicularly to the bottom panel with the slots therein engaged into the slots of the side panels.

2. A divider for a container, said divider comprising an integral paperboard sheet suitably cut and scored to provide a bottom panel, a pair of side panels hinged to opposite side edges of the bottom panel, a pair of connecting panels each along one edge hingedly connected to opposite end edges of the bottom panel, and a pair of partition panels each hingedly connected to a connecting panel along an edge opposite that to which the connecting panel is hinged to the bottom panel, said partition panel being of width to extend beyond the side edges of the bottom panel, said side panels each having a pair of spaced slots extending thereinto from the edge opposite the hinge connection to the bottom panel and terminating short thereof, said slots being spaced from the adjacent side edges of the side panels a distance equal to the length of said connecting panels, said partition panels each having a pair of slots extending thereinto from the inner edge thereof adjacent the hinge connection of the partition panels to the connecting panels and terminating short of the free end edges thereof, said last-mentioned slots being spaced apart a distance equal to the width of the bottom panel, said side panels being adapted to be folded perpendicularly to and the connecting panels into overlying relation with the bottom panel, and the partition panels to be folded perpendicularly to the bottom panel with the slots therein engaged into the adjacent slots of the side panels.

3. A divider for a container, said divider comprising an integral blank suitably cut and scored to provide a bottom panel, a pair of side panels hinged to opposite side edges of the bottom panel, a connecting panel hingedly connected to an end edge of the bottom panel, and a partition panel hingedly connected to the connecting panel along the edge opposite that to which the connecting panel is hinged to the bottom panel, said side panels each having a slot extending thereinto from the edge opposite the hinge connection to the bottom panel and terminating short thereof, said connecting panel being of length equal to the distance longitudinally of the blank from said slots to the ends of the side panels less the distance from said ends to the hinge connection of the connecting panel to the bottom panel, said partition panel having a pair of slots extending thereinto from the inner edge thereof adjacent the hinge connection of the partition panel to the connecting panel and terminating short of the free end edge thereof, said last-mentioned slots being spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the Width of the bottom panel, said side panels being adapted to be folded perpendicularly to and the connecting panel into overlying relation with the bottom panel, and the partition panel to be folded perpendicularly to the bottom panel with the slots therein engaged into the slots of the side panels.

4. A divider according to claim 3, in which said hinge connection of the partition panel to the bottom panel is positioned substantially inwardly of said ends of the side panels and intermediate said ends and the slotsv in the side panels.

5. A divider for a container, said divider comprising an integral blank suitably cut and scored to provide a bottompanel, a pair of side panels hinged to opposite side edges of the bottom panel, a connecting panel hingedly connected to an end edge of the bottom panel, and a partition panel hingedly connected to the connecting panel along the edge opposite that to which the connecting panel is hinged to the bottom panel, said side panels each having a slot extending thereinto from the edge opposite the hinge connection to the bottom panel and terminating short thereof, said connecting panel being of length equal to the distance longitudinally of the blank from said slots to the hinge connection of the connecting panel to the bottom panel, said partition panel having a pair of slots extending thereinto from the inner edge thereof adjacent the hinge connection of the partition panel to the connecting panel and terminating short of the free end edge thereof, said last-mentioned slots being spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the width 2,596,205 Buttery May 13, 1952 

